Hong Kong's epic story on housing goes on display

The epic story of providing affordable public housing for millions of families over the past five decades is told in an exhibition opened in Hong Kong today (July 19).

The opening ceremony was performed by the Acting Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Michael Suen, while standing on top of an elevated glass bridge over a huge Diorama showing each and every public housing project in Hong Kong.

The occasion marked the opening of the Housing Authority's new Exhibition Centre at Homantin Plaza, which is designed to tell the development of public housing in an interactive and innovative manner.

Mr Suen spoke of the vast improvements in the provision of public housing over the years, and said the bridge not only gave him a panoramic view of Hong Kong, but reminded him of the need to look after different sectors of the community and the government's commitment to provide quality housing and services.

The Permanent Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands (Housing), Mr Leung Chin-man, said the new exhibition centre provided a modern platform for housing information and education, and served as a bridge for communication between the Housing Authority and the general public.

Workshops and educational activities would be organised for professionals, students and the public to exchange views on housing matters.

Located on the third floor of Homantin Plaza at 80 Fat Kwong Street, the centre uses a focused and interactive approach to present the authority's housing challenges at different stages. All the exhibits are displayed over the Diorama - a 1:1000 under-floor model of Hong Kong.

Visitors can follow the development of public housing while walking through the multi-layered display of pictures, videos and models. There is also a replica of a Mark I flat, the earliest form of public housing in Hong Kong.

The centre will be open to the public from next Monday (22 July). Opening hours are from 9:30 am to 5:30pm, Monday to Sunday (closed on Tuesday); from 1:30pm to 5:30pm on public holidays. The enquiry telephone number is 2129-8015.

End/Friday, July 19, 2002